The DK18 weighs just 1,975kg, has an overall width of 1.86 metres, 11.3 metres of outreach and an unrestricted capacity of 200kg. The platforms were shipped some time ago in 40ft sea containers from the Rothlehner facility in Massing, Bavaria, and are now at work, preparing for the Ariane 6 rocket’s maiden flight in July 2020.

The DK 18 are loaded into containers

The new machines are currently working on the construction of the rocket’s launch gantry. The fact that the Denka DK18 is so light for its reach, allows them to work on the temporary access deck within the gantry.

Some of Denka DK 18s are currently working on the launch gantry

The machines are light enough to allow several to work from the access platforms at the same time